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Edison Lamp Works

of General Electric Company

GENERAL SALES OFFICE, HARRISON, N. J.

Bulletin No. 43530

March, igij

EDISON MAZDA SIGN LAMPS

During the middle ages every trade had its
characteristic emblem ; the bush was the
usual sign of the tavern, the mortar and
pestle designated the apothecary's shop and
the tourniquet and bandage became the
barber's pole. During the sixteenth and
seventeenth centuries painted signs came
into vogue and have ever since been of
such importance that some of the greatest
artists, including Correggio, Paul Potter,
Hogarth and Sir J. E. Millais, considered
such advertising worthy of their handiwork.

Like lightning on the midnight sky, the
modern sign flashes with incandescent bril-
liancy. Artists today have almost unlimited
facilities for depicting lines and masses in
glowing color, beautiful in harmony or con-
trast; even motion is faithfully reproduced.
The message is blazoned forth, everyone reads
and everyone stops to marvel at the scenic
display or to wonder at the perfection of the
galloping horses or the skirt fluttering in
the breeze.

Electric signs thus have an advertising
value so far beyond that of ordinary painted
signs that the two are hardly comparable.
No other form of advertising actually com-
pels attention like the electric sign. It is
not that "he who runs may read," but he
who runs must read. The merchant of today
who ignores the electric sign is closing his
shutters while the greatest crowd is pass-
ing.

Electric signs are the most striking and
dignified advertising media in use today.
Their popularity and efficiency are attested
by the remarkable increase in their number
and the wide range in service to which they

have been put. The secret of success in this
kind of advertising lies in the fact that it is
simple, effective and cheap. Every new sign
erected is a silent recommendation to the
business getting ability of those already in
operation.

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4 5 6 7 3 9 /O // /£

fPote /r? Cents pGr /fw. hr.

Fig. 1

CURVES SHOWING THE NUMBER OF HOURS PER

MONTH A SIGN OF 100 LAMPS OF VARIOUS

TYPES CAN BE OPERATED FOR A TOTAL

COST OF $10

Until recently, however, the cost of operat-
ing a sign was comparatively high because
of the fact that it was only possible to use
the relatively inefficient carbon lamps. Since
the development of high efficiency Mazda
lamps this objection has been removed. In

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(1-2-3) EDISON'S PICTURE, DURHAM BOOK AND STATIONERY CO.— The sign is divided into a number of different com-
partments, and by confining the light to definite compartments a number of effects can be produced. The shadow effect
on a bright background makes this sign very attractive.

(4) POLARINE — That the Standard Oil Company appreciates the value of electric signs is shown in this case. 756 5-watt lamps
are used in this sign which is located in Atlanta, Ga.

(5) OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY— This sign is lighted with 1500 10-watt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps.
wired two in series across 220 volts, the wiring being similar to that shown in Fig. 6.

These lamps are

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-8

fact, the carbon lamp, being obsolete, will
not be considered in this bulletin, which is to
represent only the latest and most improved
practice in sign lighting.

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps and Mer-
chants

Mazda sign lamps have put electric
advertising within the reach of everybody.
Their wonderful efficiency and long life have
made electric sign advertising particularly
attractive and profitable for both the mer-
chant and central station.

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Fig. 2

CURVES SHOWING TOTAL COST OF OPERATING 100

LAMPS OF VARIOUS TYPES FOR 1000 HOURS.

(APPROX. ONE YEAR)

The cost of operating a sign has been so
reduced that it is now the cheapest, as well
as the most effectual, form of advertising. It
is now possible for every merchant to enjoy
the advantage of electrical display and ad-
vertising. In addition the Edison Mazda
lamp gives a much better quality of light,
which makes it more desirable for adver-
tising purposes; it emits a bright, white light,
which gives it a peculiar attention-compelling
power and makes those signs using Edison
Mazda lamps shine out with a brilliancy
heretofore considered impossible.

The cost of operating a sign containing
Edis'on Mazda lamps is less than one-
half as much as the cost to operate a carbon

sign of equivalent candle-power, as is shown
in Figs. 1 and 2. A sign of 100 5-watt lamps
has an operating cost of but five cents per
hour at 10 cents per kw-hr., and by burning
this sign for five hours every night in the
month the monthly expense will be but $7.50.
Compare the results obtained with the
publicity which would result from a like
expenditure in any other field.

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps and the Cen-
tral Station

The problem of increasing the revenue
from its sign lighting business is ever present
with every central station. In many of the
large cities sign lighting campaigns are
carried on, without doubt resulting in an
increased revenue from this very desirable
class of business.

The recent improvements and develop-
ments in the Edison Mazda sign lamp
will be of great assistance to the central
station. Heretofore, because of the limita-
tion of the series system of wiring for sign
lighting, central stations supplying direct
current have been handicapped ; but with the
perfection of the new 105-125-volt sign lamps
all this difficulty has been overcome.

Central stations now supplying direct
current are, therefore, in a position to solicit
sign lighting business as successfully as those
companies supplying alternating current;
while it is now as advantageous for every
lighting company to solicit an increase in its
service of sign lighting as in its service of
store, factory or household lighting.

The fact that the Mazda sign lamp con-
sumes less current than the former carbon
lamp has not, in the experience of the central
station, operated to their detriment. It has
so far been proved a fact that the Mazda
lamp has, instead of reducing the revenue
to the central station, increased it, and in
addition to this it has improved the load
factor, a very important consideration. In
fact, the Mazda lamp has proved a benefit
to the merchant-consumer of light, as well
as a revenue producer to the central station.

(1) NEW YORK EDISON COMPANY— The sign is 50 feet long and contains approximately 3600 MAZDA sign lamps.

(1) C. & C. GINGER ALE— The sign is 50 feet high by 125 feet long. The bottle is 64 feet long by 25 feet wide. The "C" is 52

feet high. There is a total of approximately 3000 10-watt sign lamps in this sign,

(2) HOUSE OF MOVIES — A striking and unusual sign in San Francisco, Cal. The main spectacular feature consists of an immense

electric fountain, waterfall and a large ball which turns over and over as the water strikes it. The fountain itself is yellow
and amber, the water red and green and the revolving ball is red. Approximately 2300 EDISON MAZDA lamps are used.
(3-4) OMAR CIGARETTES— This gives a day view of a billboard located in San Francisco. It is illuminated with 100-watt MAZDA
lamps placed in special reflectors. A night view is also shown.

EDISOX MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-5

Characteristics of the EDISON MAZDA
Lamp

In Tabic I is given a complete schedule of
sign lamps with their technical data. They
are now made in three voltage ranges: 10-13,
50-65 and 105-125 volts, thus making it
possible to use them on any standard lighting
circuit, either for alternating or direct current.

The Edison Mazda lamps operate at
an efficiency of 1 .3 watts per candle as against
4.0 to 5.0 watts per candle for the old carbon
sign lamps. The 4-candle-power carbon sign
lamp consumes 20 watts, while the Mazda
lamp of equal candle-power consumes only
five watts. This high efficiency is due to the
improved tungsten filament.

Voltage

An electric sign, in order to be effective,
should be brilliant. In order that the lamps
give normal candle-power and brilliancy,
they must operate at labeled voltage. In
other words, the voltage at the lamp should
correspond to the voltage marked on the
label.

The Edison Lamp Works rate sign lamps
at an efficiency which will give a reasonably
long life and there is no reason why any
customer should "play safe" and operate
the lamps under voltage, since this will
cause a marked decrease in the candle-power
and brilliancy of the sign and thus detract
from its appearance. A 10-watt, 115-volt

5-Watt Sign Lamp
50-65 Volts (S-14 Bulb)

10-Watt Sign Lamp
105-125 Volts (S-14 Bulb)

2.5- and 5-Watt Sign Lamp
10-13 Volts (S-14 Bulb)

The drawn wire has another great advan-
tage over the pressed filament: It is ab-
solutely uniform and can be drawn to exact
sizes. It is, therefore, possible to select the
present Mazda lamps very closely for
amperes and volts; this being responsible for
more uniform performance and longer life.

Below are given a few recommendations
to be observed in ordering Mazda sign
lamps.

Mazda sign lamp loses 3j4, per cent in
candle-power for every volt it is operated
under voltage. Therefore a 115-volt lamp
operated on 113 volts will give only 93 per
cent of its rated candle-power. A 2j^- or
5-watt, 10- to 13-volt lamp will lose ap-
proximately 14 per cent in candle-power for
every half-volt it is operated under voltage.
Therefore the ll^-volt lamp operated on 11
volts will lose 14 per cent in candle-power.

TABLE No. I

TECHNICAL DATA COVERING THE COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF MAZDA SIGN LAMPS

Rated
Watts

Rated
W.P.C.

Mean

Horizontal

C-P.

Average

Total
Life

Standard
Package
Quantity

Maximum
Length
Overall

Voltage

Style

Diameter

Base

10- 13

50- 65

105-125

5
5

1.20
1.15
1.35
1.35

2.1
4.3
3.7
7.4

2000
2000
2000
2000

100

100
100
100

S-14
S-14
S-14
S-14

1M
W

4
4

Std.
Std.
Std.
Std.

43550-6 EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps

In order that there may be no misunder-
standing, Table II gives a number of circuit
voltages and also the voltage of the sign lamp
to order, to give the best results at the circuit
voltage.

TABLE NO. II
VOLTAGE OF LAMPS TO ORDER

Circuit Voltage

10- Watt

5-Watt

2^- and 5-

Watt
(10-13 Volts)

at the Sign

(105-125 Volts)

(50-65 Volts)

110

111

112

113

. 113

114

115

iiM

116

nji

117

118

119

120

It will be seen from this table that the
voltage of the 10-watt, 105-1 25-volt Mazda
lamp to order should be the same as the cir-
cuit voltage; the voltage of the 5-watt 50-65-
volt Mazda sign lamp should be half of the
circuit voltage and the voltage of the 2J^-
and 5-watt, 10-13-volt lamp should be 1/10
of the circuit voltage.

Definitions

The terms "series wiring" and "series
multiple wiring" as used in this bulletin will
refer to methods of wiring as shown in Figs.
5 and 6 respectively.

Frosting

The object of frosting lamps is to produce a
diffused light which tends to eliminate glare.
However, as frosting slightly decreases the
candle-power of the lamps, and makes it
more liable to collect dirt and grease, it should
not be used unless clear lamps will produce
an objectionable glare. Clear lamps should
therefore be used on roof signs and others
which are placed fairly high above the side-
walk.

Orders should state whether lamps are to
be clear, bowl-frosted, or all frosted.

Coloring

In ordering colored lamps, it should be
specified whether natural or superficially
colored lamps are desired.

Important

Lamps of different manufacture should not
be operated in the same series, because the
different lamp manufacturers may select
their series lamps according to different
schedules.

WIRING RECOMMENDATIONS

The method of operating Mazda sign
lamps on direct current will (in some cases)
differ slightly from the approved method of
operating the same lamps on alternating
current. In order to prevent any possible
confusion or misunderstanding, this bulle-
tin will take up separately the lamps and
methods of wiring to be used on both a-c.
and d-c.

Lamps and Wiring for Alternating-Current
Circuits
The methods of wiring sign lamps on alter-
nating-current circuits are very simple. '
There are three lamps as well as three methods
of wiring, which may be used with the present

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Fig. 3

SHOWING METHOD OF WIRING 10-WATT, 105-125-

VOLT LAMPS IN STRAIGHT MULTIPLE

standard sign lamps and these methods are
given in Table III. Considered in their order
of desirability from an operating standpoint
the three lamps are ;

TABLE NO. Ill

LAMPS

Voltage

Wattage

Method of Wiring

105-125
10- 13

50- 65

10
2.5, 5

Multiple

Multiple, with transformer
f Series
\ Series multiple

EDI SON MAZDA Sign Lamps 1(8550-7

10- Watt 105-125-Volt MAZDA Sign Lamps

These lamps are strong enough to success-
fully withstand electric sign service. They
give a flood of white light and when used on

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Fig. 4

MULTIPLE WIRING FOR 10-13-VOLT LAMPS

USED WITH TRANSFORMER

signs which have been properly designed make
a very attractive display. The expense of a
transformer is eliminated since the lamps are
wired in multiple directly across the line.
Another advantage of the 10-watt lamp is the
small current consumption due to the com-
paratively high voltage of the lamp. Each
lamp consumes approximately one-tenth am-
pere and hence the voltage drop will be
negligible provided reasonable care is taken
in constructing the sign. Thousands of signs

s$erv/c<?

— •— j*"-* —

Fig. 5

S0-65-VOLT LAMPS WIRED TWO IN

SERIES

are equipped with lamps of this type which
are giving entire satisfaction.

2K- and 5-Watt 10-13-Volt MAZDA Sign
Lamps

The advantage of these lamps is the fact
that they are low wattage lamps. On very
small signs it may not be desirable to use more
than four candle-power and it will be found
that the 2}4~ and 5--watt lamps are admirably
suited for this purpose. The)?' insure the
customer the advantage of multiple operation
which is alwavs the best. The low voltage

of the lamps makes possible a construction
which practically insures them against break-

SerwceW/res

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o — o
-o ~o
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Fig. 6
50-65-VOLT LAMPS WIRED IN SERIES MULTIPLE

age. These lamps should always be wired
in multiple on alternating current. This
will necessitate the use of a transformer but
it will be found that the transformer expense
is relatively small. Fig. 4 shows a method
of wiring these lamps with a transformer.

5-Watt 50-65-Volt Mazda Sign Lamps

In general the use of these lamps on alter-
nating current is not recommended. If for
some reason it is desirable to use a 5-watt
lamp and at the same time do away with

Fig. 7
METHOD OF WIRING 50-65-VOLT LAMPS IN SERIES

transformer expense, it may be used to
advantage. There are two ways of wiring
these lamps, as will be seen from Figs. 5
and 6.

Lamps and Wiring for Direct-Current Cir-
cuits

At one time electric signs on d-c. circuits
operated at a disadvantage since it was
necessarv to wire them in series or series

(1) BILLBOARD IN MINNEAPOLIS — This board is illuminated with 100-watt MAZDA lamps in special reflectors. The scroll

work at the top is lighted with 500 5-watt 12-volt MAZDA lamps equipped with color caps. These lamps are connected to a
flasher and the effect is that of a running line from the ends toward the flaming torch in the center.

(2) THE NEW HOME OF THE NEW YORK EDISON COMPANY— The building is outlined with approximately 4000 5- and

10-watt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps. The 5-watt 60-volt sign lamps are wired in series multiple as shown in Fig. 7.
t3) HAIG & HAIG — The sign is 50 feet high by 50 feet long. The first "H n is 26 feet high and the last "G" is nine and one-half

feet high.
(4) BILLBOARD IN DETROIT — This billboard is illuminated with 100-watt MAZDA lamps placed in special reflectors. The scroll

work is studded with 300-watt MAZDA sign lamps. On the top of each ornamental post at the ends is a 100-watt MAZDA

lamp.

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-9

multiple with 10-13-volt Mazda lamps.
This handicap has fortunately been removed
by the 10-watt, 105-125-volt and the 5-watt
50-65-volt Edison Mazda sign lamps.
There is no reason now why electric sign
lighting should not make as rapid progress
in cities supplied with direct current as in
cities supplied with alternating current.
Table IV gives the lamps and methods of
wiring for direct current arranged in their
order of desirability from an operating stand-
point.

TABLE NO. IV

LAMPS

Voltage

Wattage

Method of Wiring

105-125
50- So

Multiple
/ Series
\ Series multiple

10-Watt 105-125-Volt MAZDA Sign Lamps

The 10-watt sign lamps make it possible
to wire the sign in multiple, this being the
most simple and satisfactory method. The
transformer expense is therefore eliminated,
and this will offset the slightly higher renewal
cost of the lamps.

: - - : : : ■ ■': o o SO Volts

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Fig. 8
METHOD OF WIRING 50-65-VOLT LAMPS IN

SERIES MULTIPLE

Old signs containing 20- or 30-watt carbon
sign lamps can be relamped with the 10-watt
Mazda lamp to the decided advantage of
the merchant. This change will result in a
material saving to the customer and at the
same time greatly improve the appearance
of his sign. The 10-watt lamps have been
thoroughly tried out and are giving excellent
performance in thousands of electric signs.
Numerous service tests have been made

and it has been demonstrated that the
rated life, as given in this bulletin, has been
upheld.

On circuits of 220 volts d-c. it is recom-
mended that these lamps be used and wired
two in series.

5-Watt 50-65-Volt MAZDA Sign Lamps

In some cases it may be found that the
10-watt lamp gives too much light and accord-
ingly impairs the legibility of the sign. If this
is the case it is recommended that the 5-watt
50-65-volt lamp be used. These lamps may
be wired either two in series or in series
multiple, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In the
case of a double faced sign it is recommended
that the lamps on each side be wired in mul-
tiple and the two sides be connected in
series. In this way we get a condition of
operation which is practically similar to
straight multiple service.

Whenever these lamps arc wired in series
multiple, as shown in Fig. 6, it is recom-
mended that not less than 20 lamps be
used in each group, thus making a mini-
mum of 40 lamps in the sign. When a com-
paratively large number of lamps are used
the failure of any one lamp will not unbalance
the circuit to any great extent.

Fig. 7 shows a method of wiring the letter
"N" with 60-volt lamps by connecting two
lamps in series. Fig. 8 shows a method of
wiring the word "Drugs" by connecting the
lamps in series multiple. From this figure
it will be observed that the circuits are con-
nected in series in the cutout box and in this
way a number of old signs can be changed
over very readily by connecting each two
circuits in series, it being assumed, of course,
that there are an equal number of lamps in
each circuit.

BILLBOARD LIGHTING

The advertising value of a billboard de-
pends upon its attractiveness and also upon
the length of time the display is before the
public each day. Throughout the country
there are many thousands of signs of real
advertising value which cease to work at

HART

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B R S

NEW MILLION DOLLAR

HOTEL ROSSLYN

FIRE
PROOF

ROOMS/ POPULAR
\^ PRICES

(1) HOTEL ROSSLYN— A most effective way of advertising the location of a hotel. This sign contains 1400 10-watt EDISON
MAZDA sign lamps. It is located in Los Angeles, Cal.

(3) ST. JOSEPH'S SLOGAN SIGN— Presented to the City of St. Joseph by the St. Joseph Railway, Light, Heat & Power Company.

It contains 3800 10-watt EDISON MAZDA lamps, all of which are covered with either amber, green, red or opal color caps.

(4) GREATER, BRIGHTER DAYTON— The Dayton Power & Light Company erected this sign at the time of the flood in order to

boost the reconstruction of the city. The sign is 28 feet by 18 feet and contains 825 10- and 15-watt MAZDA sign lamps.

(5) ROCHESTER, N. Y., SLOGAN SIGN— Erected by the Rochester Chamber of Commerce and is located along the lines of the

New York Central. Ten-watt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps are used in the display.

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(1-3) ELECTRIC NEWS BULLETIN— This sign is located in Dayton, Ohio, and uses 3180 5-watt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps.
The structure proper is 42 feet long and 15 feet high. The sign consists of 60 monograms, arranged in four rows, 15 in a row.
Each monogram contains 53 lamps so arranged that each letter or character can be flashed instantly at the will of the oper-
ator. The keyboard which operates the sign is eight feet long and four feet high and resembles the keyboard of a large
typewriter. Anything can be flashed instantly, such as newspaper bulletins, baseball scores, etc. Two night views are
shown in the attached prints.

(1) WASHINGTON MARKET — This sign is located in San Francisco, contains 2000 5- and 10-watt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps,

(2) OCCIDENT FLOUR — This board, which is erected in Minneapolis, is lighted with 100-watt MAZDA lamps placed in individual

conical reflectors. The ornamental posts at each end support a lamp from an iron bracket. The lower board is illuminated
with 100-watt lamps placed at the ends of the projecting beams. Each post is illuminated with 100-watt lamps at the top.

(3) NEWSOM AUTO RENT COMPANY— A sign in Atlanta, Ga., which contains 5-watt 60-volt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps

wired two in series.

(4) THE PATRIOT — That newspapers appreciate the value of electric signs is shown in the case of this sign, which is located in

Harrisburg, Pa.

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-13

sundown. Whatever proportion of their
cost may be attributed to their location or
other detail of merit becomes entirely waste
during dark hours.

The cost of illumination is justified by
the increased "circulation" and the result-
ing decrease in cost per capita of readers.
The photographs in this bulletin show very
clearly that the expense of illumination
is justified. The boards become much more
attractive and attention-compelling in the
evening than during the day. Some of these
illuminated billboards have ornamental scroll
work studded with small incandescent lamps,
which adds to the attractiveness of the sign.
It is possible for the consumer to get very
effective advertising for small expense out of
a billboard of this nature.

There are a number of satisfactory bill-
board reflectors on the market and they can
be installed at a very reasonable expense.
The accepted practice of lighting is to equip
the reflectors with either 00-watt or 100-watt
Mazda lamps. These lamps are strong
and will withstand the severe vibration to
which they are subjected.

SLOGAN LIGHTING

It may not be generally known that within
the confines of the United States there are
125 cities that have adopted "slogans" as a
means of furthering their interests. Electric
signs bearing the slogan advertise the am-
bitions and advantages of the respective
cities far and near to inhabitants and visitors.
It has been demonstrated that a city can, to
advantage, advertise its opportunities to the
public. There is no more effective way for
a city to advertise its advantages than an
electric sign. Such a sign not only firmly
fixes the geographical location of a city in the
mind of a traveler, but at the same time
adA^ertises its industries.

A newspaper in a prominent city has this
to say concerning the slogan sign, which was
recently erected: "It has awakened civic
pride and shown what can be accomplished by
artistic electric sign illumination and stimu-
lated the entire electrical growth of the city."

Has your city a slogan sign ? Does it flash
its message every night in electric letters so
that all who run may read, so that citizens
in your community may take just pride in
their city as a progressive and up-to-the-
minute user of electricity and advertising.

Outline Building Display Lighting

There is no form of illumination more
attractive or more productive than outline
and decorative building lighting. It is a
dignified and effective method of advertising
which produces results. In the past it has
not been employed very extensively for
various reasons, chiefly the inefficiency of the
old carbon lamps.

The advent of the Edison Mazda sign
lamps, especially the 10-watt, 105-125-volt,
has opened a way for more extensive outline
lighting by reducing the operating expense of
installations while increasing their attrac-
tiveness. The illustrations in this bulletin
show what can be accomplished by a care full)''
planned system of outline lighting. The
new home of the New York Edison Company
shown in the group on page 8 arouses the
admiration of all who see it. The striking
results were obtained by extensive and
painstaking experiments by the illuminating
engineers of that company.

In every city there are a few buildings at
least which can be illuminated in somewhat
the same manner as shown in these illustra-
tions. Such installations are certain to
accrue to the material advantage of both the
central station and the owner of the building.
A vigorous campaign inaugurated by a cen-
tral station will undoubtedly result in a
number of installations. It is to be hoped
that in the near future striking examples of
such spectacular illumination may be found
in every city.

PROJECTOR LIGHTING OF PAINTED
SIGNS

It frequently happens that painted signs
are so located that power is not easily avail-
able at the sign itself, or structural conditions
may not warrant the expense of wiring; such
for example, as signs painted on water tanks.

(1) NEW AMSTERDAM THEATER— The sign is 31 feet high by 90 feet long and contains a total of 2590 10-watt EDISON

MAZDA sign lamps. The letters are four feet high.

(2) CARTER'S ELECTRIC SHOP, KOKOMO, IND. , MVnM . , ^u- » *• a- i

(3) "WELCOME B.P.O.E."— For temporary display lighting, nothing is so effective as MAZDA sign lamps. This attractive display

was erected in Rochester, N. Y., during the Elks' 1914 convention.

(4) LYCEUM THEATER— A changeable type of letter is used which facilitates the changing of the sign with changing of the bill.

Ten-watt MAZDA lamps are used. _ , .

(5) BUDWEISER BILLBOARD-Fourteen 100-watt lamps in special reflectors illuminate this board which is located in Detroit.

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-15

billboards located some distance from trans-
mission lines, etc. Such signs may be well
lighted by projecting a beam of light on
them from a distance. A number of instal-
lations of this nature have already been made,
the results being particularly striking as well
as pleasing. This is especially true in the
case of buildings constructed of terra cotta.
Billboards, in order to be effective, should be
painted in light colors.

The light is projected on the building or sign
by means of one or more parabolic reflectors,
which can be located on adjacent buildings
in such a way as to give uniform illumination
over the entire surface to be lighted.

A billboard was recently lighted in this
way by a reflector placed about 200 feet
from the sign, while another was illuminated
at a distance of 500 feet by using a 500-watt
Mazda C stereopticon lamp in a 16-inch
parabolic reflector.

It is evident, therefore, that towers, signs
and water tanks which are comparatively
inaccessible, can be illuminated in this
manner with very little initial cost and at low
operating expense, and results can be obtained
which without considerable expenditure would
be impossible but for the use of the efficient
Edison Mazda lamps in proper reflectors.

The projectors used for this class of work
consist of 16-inch polished aluminum para-
bolic reflectors of 3-inch focus, in weather-
proof housings (General Electric Company's
Incandescent Headlight J-ll, Cat. No.
144592).

Where the beam is to be projected to a
distance of 200 feet or more, it is necessary
to use the highly concentrated filament found

in the 500-watt G-40 bulb Mazda stereop-
ticon lamp. This lamp properly focused in
the J-l 1 headlight will deliver a beam having
a spread of about 6 deg. (10.5 feet in 100).
With the lamp filament located about one-
half inch back of the focus, this spread may
be increased to approximately IS deg. (30.9
feet in 100). For short range projection, i.e.,
up to 200 feet the regular 500-watt S-40 bulb
Mazda C lamp is satisfactory and gives a
spread of about 10 deg. (17.5 feet in 100).

WIRING

For low voltage Mazda sign lamps the
wiring must be such that the voltage drop
does not exceed a certain definite amount.
Care must also be taken to see that the Fire
Underwriters' Rules are not voided. Ac-
cording to specifications of the National
Board of Fire Underwriters, not more than
1320 watts shall be dependent upon the final
cutout. In some cases, however, the muni-
cipal rules allow only 660 watts, when wiring
must be arranged accordingly. Table Y
shows the carrying capacity of wires as
approved by the National Board of Fire
Underwriters. It can be seen that with low
voltage lamps the carrying capacity of the
wires is a governing feature.

With the 10- 13- volt lamps it is essential
that the voltage drop in all cases be less than
one-half volt. It can readily be appreciated
that if a larger actual drop were allowed the
percentage drop would be considerable. For
instance, a drop of one volt, although com-
paratively small, in the case of 100-volt
lamps means a drop of 10 per cent for a 10-
volt lamp, which is entirely too large. Table

TABLE NO. V

THE RELATION BETWEEN SIZE OF WIRE AND NUMBER AND SPACING OF LAMPS FOR DROP OF 1/2 VOLT

Spacing
of Lamps

SIZE OF

RUBBER COVERED WIRE (B.&S.)

in Inches

*48

* 68

*96

* 132

*48

* 68

112

Number
of

10 ■

5-watt, 10-13-volt
lamps

* This limit is necessary in order not to exceed the safe carrying capacity of rubber covered wire.

ft-*

(1) STROH'S SIGN— Located in Detroit, Mich. It is 72 feet long by 62 feet high. The border contains 2720 2 ! L ;-watt 12-volt MAZDA

sign lamps and the rest of the sign uses 1060 5-watt 12-volt sign lamps. The illuminated billboard directly beneath is
illuminated with 100-watt MAZDA lamps.

(2) HAMILTON COUPONS— The sign is 36 feet by 42 feet high by 42 feet long and contains a total of 2114 MAZDA sign lamps.

It has an ornamental border of colored lamps.

(3) QUINN'S SUPERBA — A wonderful effect is produced by the use of 6200 EDISON MAZDA sign lamps. It is located in Los

Angeles, Cal.

(4) FATIMA SIGN — A sign which uses approximately 1900 EDISON MAZDA sign lamps. Color caps are used in the border which

gives it a very ornamental effect.

(5) CAPITOL CITY LAUNDRY — A prominent sign in Atlanta, Ga., containing 5-watt EDISON MAZDA sign lamps.

(6) BELL TELEPHONE — This sign, which is located in Harrisburg, Pa., shows that Bell Telephone Company believes in electric

signs.

EDISON MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-17

VI gives the number of lamps (assuming the
circuit is fed at the middle) which can be
used on the five different sizes of wire when the
lamps are spaced at various intervals, in order
that the drop may not exceed one-half volt.

Table VII gives the maximum number of
5-watt 10-13-volt lamps wired in multiple
which can be supplied with feeders having
the sizes and length given in the table with a
drop not exceeding 0.2 volt.

Fig. 9 shows four possible methods of con-
necting feeders to a sign, and Table VII
shows data for each method. Since there

* U 4 6 6 6 6 6 3TTT

c ggggmm

~UT^i^i>£j f

Fig. 9

FOUR POSSIBLE METHODS OF CONNECTING

FEEDERS TO A SIGN

TABLE NO. VI

THE RELATION BETWEEN LENGTH AND SIZE OF FEEDERS, AND THE NUMBER OF LAMPS
FOR A DROP NOT EXCEEDING 0.2 VOLT

Combined

SIZE OF FEEDER (B.&S

•)

Length of Pair

of Feeders

*64

*92

* 130

* 184

*262

125

* 184

*262

100

158

254

135

210

Number

101

160

127

5-watt, 10-13-volt

lamps

* This limit is necessary in order not to exceed the safe carrying capacity of weather-proof wire

TABLE NO. VII

CARRYING CAPACITY OF WIRES AS APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL BOARD OF FIRE UNDERWRITERS

B.&S.
Gauge

Rubber

Xo. 5- Watt No.

i-Watt

No. 10-Watt

Amperes

10-13 Volts 50-6

3 Volts

100-103 Volts

L37

137

L95

106

124

150

175

207

107

248

127

t Exceeds the 1320 watts as allowed by National Board of Fire Underwriters.

COMPARISON

TABLE NO. VIII

OF VOLTAGE DROP FOR THE FOUR METHODS OF WIRING SHOWN IN FIG. 9

Wiring System

Minimum
Drop

Average
Drop

Maximum
Drop

Maximum

Voltage
Difference

A
B
C
D

1/2

1/4

2/3
2/3
I 6
7/24

3/4
1/4
5/16

1/4
1/4
1/16

(1) COOK WITH GAS — This sign is located on the Electric and Gas Building in Atlanta, Ga. The exterior illumination is produced

by 750-watt EDISON MAZDA lamps.

(2) OKLAHOMA GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY — The sign, located on the Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company's office, operates

as follows: The upward flight of the rocket first appears, followed by an explosion, after which streams of light shoot to
the top of the building. The words "Light and Power" and the vertical sign are flashed on, and then the operation is
repeated.

(3) TAMPA ELECTRIC COMPANY — A very effective sign for a central station.

- (4) GET A FAN AND KEEP COOL — The sign is maintained by the Rochester Railway & Light Company, and used for advertising
its own product. A stock of letters is kept on hand and seasonable advertising is possible. In each corner is a group of
red lamps connected to a flasher which give a coiling effect when in operation.
(5) COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY — A very striking sign, located on the Power House of the Commonwealth Edison
Company and using MAZDA sign lamps.

EDISOX MAZDA Sign Lamps 43550-19

are, therefore, at least four ways in which
it can be done, it is evident that one method
will give the best results. The figures given
in the table are relative, it being assumed that
the maximum voltage drop in system "A"
be unity. The most desirable system would
obviously be the one which would produce
the least average drop and also the minimum
difference between the maximum and min-
imum voltage drops. Of these two con-
siderations, the latter is of most importance.
As the systems are arranged, system "A"
would give the poorest results and system
"D" the best results. Unfortunately, nearly
all signs are wired according to system "A,"
but wherever 105-125-volt lamps are used
this is not serious, but with low voltage
lamps the heavy currents, which naturally
result, will cause a large difference in voltage,
resulting in a large variation in candle-
power in the lamps at opposite ends of the
circuit.

Since the difference in voltage given in
system "D" is only one-sixteenth of that in
system "A," it should be used, as the lamps
will then all operate at practically the same
efficiency, giving uniform life and candle-
power. It is, therefore, recommended that
in the future all feeders be connected as
shown in "D."

With the 50-65 -volt 5- watt, and the 105-
125-volt 10-watt lamps the governing feature
is a limit of 1320 watts imposed by the Na-
tional Board of Fire Underwriters, since the
amperage is very low.

It is, however, suggested that in the wiring
of signs which are to accommodate low-
voltage lamps, the size of wire should be cal-
culated very carefully, in order that the best
possible service may result. ' ' Rule of thumb ' '
methods will not give satisfactory results as
has been proved in a number of instances.

Changing Old Signs from Carbon to Mazda
Lamps

In cities having alternating current the
old sign containing carbon lamps can be very
easily changed to Mazda. If it has been
decided to use the 10-13-volt lamp it can be

accommodated very easily by simply in-
serting a transformer between the sign and
the service wires. Care should be taken,
however, to see that the old wiring in the sign
is heavy enough to take care of the increased
amperage from the low wattage lamps.

The change to 105-125-volt 10-watt Edi-
son Mazda lamps can be very easil}' made
without any changes in wiring or the addition
of any apparatus. This is undoubtedly the
simplest and most satisfactory way of making
the change and is the method which will be
largely used.

Any existing carbon sign can be changed
over to accommodate the 50-65-volt 5-watt
lamp, provided it is a double faced sign,
with one circuit for each side, or provided the
circuits are so arranged that one or more can
be balanced against the other circuits having
an equal number of lamps. These changes
can easily be made in the cutout box without
any appreciable expense.

It is, therefore, possible to change over
every carbon sign to Mazda lamps, show
a saving in operating cost, and at the same
time greatly improve its appearance.

General Electric Sign Lighting Transformers

The General Electric Company has de-
veloped a complete line of transformers for

TRANSFORMER FOR SIGN LIGHTING

reducing the circuit voltage to that of the
Mazda sign lamp. The transformation
ratio is 10:1 and 20:1, and, consequently,
with a primary voltage approaching 110,

43650-20 ED1S0X MAZDA Sign Lamps

10-volt lamps should be used, and with a
primary voltage of 120, 12-volt lamps should
be used, etc. These transformers are made
in four standard sizes shown in Table IX.

As the secondary can be connected for
either two- or three-wire service, the trans-
formers can therefore be applied to any
sign without necessitating any change in
wiring.

Flashers

The advantage of the flasher is obvious:
It gives movement which attracts attention,
makes possible many spectacular effects and
reduces the amount of current necessary to
operate a given sign. In order to save core

loss, and also because flashers will operate
more satisfactorily on 110 volts, it is recom-
mended that whenever possible the flasher
be placed on the high voltage side of the trans-
former. However, the simple "on and off'*
flashing sign is the only type that can be so
arranged because the several circuits must
be brought together to the flasher, and
cannot be united in the transformer on the
way.

In Table X are given the various kinds of
flashing effect with the corresponding possible
methods of wiring on either direct or alter-
nating current. A type of lamp which can
be used in order to produce this flashing effect
is shown in the last column.

TABLE NO. IX

G-E SIGN LIGHTING TRANSFORMERS

Capacity
Watts

Capacity
5-Watt Lamp

Wall Space Depth
Inches Inches

Net Weight
Pounds

Catalog
Number

250

500

1000

2000

50
100
200
400

8x8
9x9

10^x10

sy 2

100

76676
76678
76680
76683

TABLE NO. X
POSSIBLE SYSTEMS OF WIRING AND LAMPS TO USE FOR VARIOUS FLASHING EFFECTS

Flashing Effect

Current

Wiring

Lamps

Steady burning
On and off

A-C.

Multiple

1 10-volt Mazda

One line at a
time

or
D-C.

A-C.

Series multiple
Two in series
Mult, with trans.

55-volt Mazda
55-volt Mazda
10-volt Mazda

Script
Spelling
Fountain
Rat Chaser
Falling Water
Lightning

D-C.

A-C.

Multiple

f Multiple

\ with trans.

1 10-volt Mazda
10-volt Mazda

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